The empathic-mindset intervention is an online exercise to refocus middle school teachers on understanding and valuing the perspectives of students and on sustaining positive relationships even when students misbehave. This intervention reduced suspension rates especially for Black and Hispanic students, reduced the racial disparity over the school year by 45%. Significant reductions were also observed students with disabilities and for students with one previous suspension. These reductions persisted through the next year when students interacted with different teachers, suggesting that empathic treatment with even one teacher in a critical period can improve students’ trajectories through school.
Okonofua, Jason, J. Parker Goyer, Constance Lindsay, Johnetta Haugabrook, and Gregory Walton. 2022. “A scalable empathic-mindset intervention reduces group disparities in school suspensions.” Science Advances 8, no. 12, https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/sciadv.abj0691 (accessed January 30, 2023).
This free ebook offers a variety of perspectives and tools on how to improve schools. It describes best school practices, including strategies for addressing classroom behavior and individualizing instruction.
Adelman, Howard, and Linda Taylor. 2017. Addressing Barriers to Learning: In the Classroom and Schoolwide. Los Angeles, CA: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Mental Health in Schools and Student Learning Supports. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED586985.pdf
This free ebook offers a variety of perspectives and tools on how to improve schools. It argues for a path toward personalized instruction and special assistance.
Adelman, Howard, and Linda Taylor. 2016. Improving School Improvement. Los Angeles, CA: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Mental Health in Schools and Student Learning Supports. http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/improve.pdf
This book provides useful tools and activities for school leaders to prevent inequities in schools and classrooms. The authors focus on what is currently known about how to achieve high-quality education for all students.
La Salle, Robin Avilar, and Ruth Johnson. 2018. Shattering Inequities: Real World Wisdom for School and District Leaders. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
